Chris Romo harvested this Barbary sheep Dec. 9 near the Sabinoso Wilderness. It was 29 ½ inches on left side and 28 ¼ inches on the right. Taken with a 300 yard shot. "Chris grew up in Las Vegas, NM and quickly took to hunting at the age of 13 years old he is currently 34 years old. He has taken many animals in his life but the 2018 was by far his best year in terms of filling the freezer. The only tag he didn’t fill was his black bear tag which he is determined to Harvest a nice trophy Bear next year. Hunting is his passion and enjoys spending time with his family and friends and enjoying the great outdoors. The best place to live and Hunt is right here in New Mexico, it truly is the Land of Enchantment," he writes.

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Ricardo Leon Jr. harvested his very first bull elk. It was "an epic hunting season and did his part to contribute feeding the family," writes his dad.

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Daniel Miera at 4 years old takes his first hunting trip with his grandpa, Thomas Miera, Sr.

Daniel Miera at 4 years old takes his first hunting trip with his grandpa, Thomas Miera, Sr.

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Courtesy photo

Above: Ariana Gallegos on Jan. 6 near Eagle Nest.

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Ramona Sanchez from Questa with an elk harvested in 2018.

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"Ladies are great huntresses," writes Francisco Cortez Sr. "Here is a picture of my wife, Gail Cortez, with her bull elk she harvested near Tres Piedras in October. This is her fifth bull elk she's taken."

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Jeremiyah Baca with his dad, Chris Baca, hunting turkeys in Unit 53 during the April hunt.

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Marlena Vallejos of Costilla, 12-years-old, had just finished her hunter safety course, went target shooting and was ready for her hunt, writes her dad Joshua Vallejos. "Her first big game hunt was such an experience for both her and I. She harvested this 5x4 stud mule deer in the evening of Nov. 23. After lunch her and I went and posted up in a blind I had set up in the fields in back of our grandma's house. The sun was already starting to set when I spotted this guy coming down the ridge, we waited until he got in the field. I whispered to her to take a deep breath and shoot, and (she) dropped him in is tracks. I was in awe of my daughter. She asked me why she was shaking but excited at the same time, I told her it was her adrenaline that kicked in. It was starting to get dark as we were walking to him. As we got to him, we said a prayer and thanked God. We loaded him up in the truck and headed home. I taught her how to harvest the animal, not just kill it. She helped skin him and will help mount him when it is time."

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Left: Sierra Casias, 12 years old, with her elk from the Pecos Wilderness.

Connie Trujillo and the elk harvested in unit 50 in Montoso on Oct. 27 with rifle.

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Alyana Leòn at the age of twelve was able to ethically harvest her very first deer.
"Once again, the same little girl in the snow from last years hunting edition, was fortunate enough to harvest the finest organic sustenance to feed our family. Her little brother had an epic hunting season as well and did his part to contribute feeding the family. The meat from both of these animals was processed with the utmost care into ground venison for Chile, tacos and the most delicious burgers. We made chorizo, breakfast sausage, Italian sausage. And of course, the kids favorite Carne Seca," writes Ricardo Leòn.

Francisco Cortez Sr. and his father-in-law Uvaldo Mondragon pack out meat from a recent hunting trip. "Packing out the meat, sometimes several miles. Each piece of meat on the packs can weigh up to 75 lbs. Very hard work, but always worth it," writes Gail Cortez.

While Taos is waking up on cold mornings, there's another world of activity in the woods, mountains and forests around the region. It's the world of hunters.

Some people go solo, others go with their family. Some use bows, others firearms. Some go for elk, others for turkey. Regardless, hunting and sharing the harvest is a tradition that runs deep in Northern New Mexico.

This is the second year The Taos News has asked our readers to submit their top hunting photos of 2018 for an end-of-year celebration. It's our version of the the hunting photos taped on the wood-paneled wall of country stores. Here's a selection of the photos and stories we recieved.